GIFT   OF 
STATE  OF  CALIFORNIA 


FROMN 

THE  FRUIT  GROWERS 
•     OF  CALIFORNIA 


TO- 

THE  TRANSPORTATION 

COMPANIES 


ASKING  FOR  A  QUICKER  TIME 
TO  POINTS  IN  THE  EAST,  AND 
FOR  AMENDMENT  OF  THE 
MINIMUM  CARLOAD. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Preamble  and  Resolutions _ 5-  6 

Memorial  by  Committee  on  Transportation 6-11 

Letters  of  Indorsement  from — 

A.  J.  Hechtman,  Vice-President  Porter  Bros.  Company 12 

Geo.  B.  Katzenstein,  Vice-President  Earl  Fruit  Company 12 

Frank  H.  Buck,  Vacaville _ 13 

W.  J.  Wilson  &  Son,  Newcastle _ 14 

F.  de  Gomez,  Manager  Auburn  Fruit  Company 15 

A.  G.  Bell,  Manager  Colfax  Mountain  Fruit  Company... 16 

H.  E.  Butler,  Manager  Penryn  Fruit  Company 16 

Geo.  D.  Kellog,  Newcastle 17 

A.  H.  Naftzger,  President  Southern  California  Fruit  Exchange 17 

Pinkham  &  McKevitt,  Vacaville 18 

F.  E.  Wright,  Secretary  Sacramento  Development  Association 19 

Sgobel  &  Day,  New  York _ 20 

James  S.  Watson,  President  Porter  Bros.  Company,  Chicago 21 

F.  E.  Fletcher,  Manager  Porter  Bros.  Company,  Boston 22 

R.  J.  Frazer,  Manager  Earl  Fruit  Company,  Philadelphia 23 

S.  J.  Palmer,  Secretary  Porter  Bros.  Company,  Minneapolis 24 

C.  E.  Thurston,  Manager  Earl  Fruit  Company,  New  York _ 24 

A.  H.  Brown,  Manager  Earl  Fruit  Company,  Boston 25 

C.  M.  Mohr,  Manager  Earl  Fruit  Company 26 


242606 


MEMORIAL 


THE  FRUIT  GROWERS  OF  CALIFORNIA 


THE  TRANSPORTATION  COMPANIES. 


On  February  15, 1901,  the  Transportation  Committee  appointed  at  the 
Fruit-Growers'  State  Convention  held  in  San  Francisco,  December  4-7, 
1900,  through  its  Chairman,  R.  D.  Stephens  of  Sacramento,  filed  with 
the  proper  officials  of  the  Southern  Pacific,  Santa  Fe,  and  Union  Pacific 
Railway  Companies  the  following  Memorial  and  indorsements. 

This  action  was  immediately  followed  by  filing  copies  of  the  Memo- 
rial with  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul;  Chicago  &  Northwestern; 
Illinois  Central;  Erie  Dispatch;  Lake  Shore  &  Michigan  Southern; 
New  York  Central  &  Hudson  River;  Pennsylvania  Railway  Company; 
R.  G.  W.,  D.  &  R.  G.,  A.  T.  &  S.  P.;  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy,  and 
other  roads  handling  California  fresh  fruit  shipments: 

We,  the  undersigned,  the  chosen  representatives  of  the  fruit-growers 
of  the  State,  beg  to  submit  the  following  for  your  consideration: 

WE  ARE  ACTING  UNDER  INSTRUCTIONS  passed  by  the  unanimous 
action  of  the  growers  in  convention  assembled. 

These  instructions  are  contained  in  a  preamble  and  resolutions 
adopted  at  the  Fruit-Growers'  State  Convention  held  in  the  City  of  San 
Francisco,  December  4-7,  1900,  as  follows: 

WHEREAS,  The  shipment  of  perishable  fruits  from  the  State  of  California  to  Eastern 
markets  has  not  kept  pace  with  the  development  and  increase  in  all  other  varieties  of 
our  products,  and  the  shipment  of  the  same  has,  especially  the  last  season,  been 
attended  with  severe  losses  to  all  growers  and  shippers;  and, 

WHEREAS,  It  is  a  fact  that  unless  measures  are  devised  to  relieve  the  present  situation, 
the  greater  portion  of  our  shipping  fruits  will  have  to  be  worked  over  into  drying  or 


canning  varieties  /thus  relieving  us  of  one  great  outlet  for  the  products  of  our  orchards; 
and, 

WHEREAS,  A  careful  examination  of  all  conditions  relating  to  the  existing  state  of 
affairs  has  unanimously  convinced  us  that  an  irregular  and  inadequate  transportation 
service  is  responsible  to  a  large  degree  for  the  conditions  and  causes  above  mentioned  ; 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved  by  the  Growers  and  Shippers  in  State  Convention  assembled,  That  we  demand 
an  improved  transportation  service,  and  a  schedule  time  to  all  the  Eastern  markets 
from  the  companies  transporting  these  products  for  us,  as  a  measure  for  our  relief  and 
one  that  will  redound  to  their  great  good ;  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  we  request  said  service  and  time  to  approximate  a  delivery  of  cars  to 
Chicago  and  similar  points  in  six  days,  and  to  New  York  and  Atlantic  Coast  points  in 
eight  days ;  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  we  appoint  and  designate  the  Transportation  Committee,  as  appointed 
at  this  meeting,  on  December  5,  1900,  as  our  representative  in  this  matter ;  and  be  it 
further 

Resolved,  That  said  Transportation  Committee  be  hereby  directed  to  forthwith  place 
themselves  in  communication  and  conference  with  the  representatives  of  all  transcon- 
tinental transportation  companies,  to  the  end  that  we  may  as  speedily  as  possible  be 
advised  whether  we  can  expect  the  desired  relief  and  arrangements  for  the  coming  ship- 
ping season  ;  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  in  the  event  of  said  Transportation  Committee  deeming  their  efforts 
unavailing  and  unsatisfactory,  that  they  request  in  writing  the  President  of  the  State 
Board  of  Horticulture  to  again  call  the  growers  and  shippers  of  the  State  together  in 
convention  to  deliberate  and  decide  upon  a  further  course  of  action  to  pursue. 

The  preamble  sets  forth  reasons  for  the  prayer  of  the  resolution, 
which  is,  that  a  definite  time  schedule  be  arranged  and  adopted  by  the 
transportation  companies  for  the  carrying  of  our  green  deciduous  fruit 
to  Eastern  markets. 

The  time  asked  for  by  the  growers  is  "six  days  to  Chicago"  and 
similar  points,  and  "eight  days  to  New  York"  and  similar  points. 

Having  been  selected  by  the  growers  of  this  State  as  their  repre- 
sentatives, we  believe  it  to  be  our  duty  to  set  forth  in  detail  some  of  the 
many  reasons  why  the  relief  asked  for  should  be  granted. 

It  is  believed  that  if  such  a  schedule  is  adopted  and  faithfully  carried 
out,  great  relief  will  come  to  the  deciduous  fruit  interests  of  the  State. 

It  is  this  belief  that  actuated  the  growers  not  to  make  a  further  request 
for  a  reduction  in  either  freight  or  refrigeration  charges,  at  this  time,  not 
but  what  they  feel  that  the  deciduous  fruit  interests  are  greatly  handi- 
capped by  additional  transportation  charges  in  comparison  with  similar 
charges  against  citrus  fruit.  For  instance,  it  costs  but  $325  to  ship  a 
26,000-pound  carload  of  oranges  to  New  York,  Boston,  or  any  destina- 
tion on  the  Atlantic  Coast,  while  it  costs  $415  to  Chicago,  $520  to  New 
York,  and  about  $545  to  Boston,  including  refrigerating  charges,  for 
deciduous  fruit,  thus  showing  an  additional  cost  for  transportation  of 
from  $90  to  $220  against  deciduous  fruit. 

The  perishable  nature  of  our  deciduous  fruit,  together  with  the  fact 
that  it  is  shipped  during  the  hottest  days  in  the  year — June,  July,  August, 
and  September — makes  it  necessary  to  ice  the  cars,  an  expense  almost 
wholly  unnecessary  in  shipping  citrus  fruit,  for  the  reasons,  first,  that 


it  is  less  perishable;  second,  the  great  bulk  of  the  crop  is  shipped  in  the 
winter  and  early  spring — December,  January,  February,  and  March. 

Another  great  disadvantage  the  deciduous  growers  labor  under  is  the 
fact  that  it  costs  a  great  deal  more  to  pick,  box,  and  pack  a  carload  of 
their  fruit  than  it  does  a  carload  of  citrus  fruit.  This  additional  cost  is 
about  $80  to  $100  per  car. 

We  wish  to  say,  in  stating  these  facts,  that  there  is  no  desire  on  the 
part  of  any  member  of  this  Committee  to  speak  begrudgingly  of  the  many 
advantages  possessed  by  the  citrus  fruit  growers  over  the  deciduous  fruit 
growers. 

On  the  contrary,  we  feel  that  they  are  entitled  to  all  the  advantages 
and  facilities  that  they  possess,  for,  at  best,  the  probabilities  are,  their 
profits  are  not  great.  Our  only  object  in  referring  to  the  above  is  to 
show  by  comparison  why  deciduous  fruit  shipments  have  failed  to  bring 
any  profit  to  the  growers  in  recent  years,  and  why  relief  must  come  to 
them  in  some  way  or  bankruptcy  be  their  fate. 

It  is  believed  that  if  a  six  and  eight  day  service  be  given  as  prayed  for> 
it  will  greatly  aid  DISTRIBUTION,  because  the  fruit  will  then  arrive  at 
destination  in  a  more  sound  and  perfect  condition,  which  will  permit  it 
to  be  reshipped,  and  forwarded  to  other  localities  from  two  hundred  to 
five  hundred  miles  distant.  This  result  would  not  only  multiply  and 
broaden  our  markets,  but  would  also  give  millions  of  people  an  opportu- 
nity to  become  consumers  of  our  fruit,  who  before  saw  but  little,  if  any, 
of  it,  and  consequently  knew  nothing  of  its  superior  quality. 

We  have  seen  the  individual  consignee  or  firm  in  the  large  populous 
centers  change  for  the  quick  and  efficient  auction  salesroom,  and  regret 
to  say  that  transportation  service  has  not  kept  pace  with  the  other 
improvements. 

From  the  time  when  our  Eastern  fruit  shipments  began  to  assume 
large  proportions  until  the  last  few  years,  there  was  a  unity  of  action 
between  the  fruit  growers  and  shippers  to  obtain,  first,  a  reduction  of 
freight  rates  to  such  a  figure  as  would  allow  the  shipment  of  large 
quantities,  and,  secondly,  the  securing  of  transportation  services  that 
would  insure  the  arrival  of  our  fruit,  when  properly  matured  and  packed, 
in  the  best  possible  condition  in  the  Eastern  markets. 

As  the  refrigerator  car  came  more  and  more  into  use  it  was  believed 
that  the  growers  would  be  able  to  gather  the  fruit  in  a  more  matured 
condition,  and  would  thus  be  able  to  deliver  it  to  buyers  in  a  more  mer- 
chantable condition  and  it  would  reach  the  consumer  in  a  higher  degree 
of  excellence  as  regards  quality,  but.  alas!  for  the  growers,  their  expec- 
tations were  not  realized,  for  the  service  of  late  years  has  been  such  that 
when  a  shipment  was  made  to  Chicago  or  Missouri  River  points,  you 
would  hear  of  it  any  time  from  nine  to  thirteen  days,  and  when  a  ship- 
ment was  made  to  New  York  or  the  Atlantic  Coast  points,  it  would 
arrive  any  time  from  eleven  to  nineteen  days  afterward. 


In  the  past  the  length  of  time  required  in  transit  detracted  from  the 
value  of  the  fruit,  and  the  irregularity  tends  to  demoralize  markets.  It 
causes  the  fruit  to  be  exposed  for  sale  in  an  over-ripe  condition  necessi- 
tating its  immediate  use,  and  it  has  to  be  sold  to  peddlers  and  the  like, 
which  always  means  low  prices. 

Many  cars  of  fruit  that  were  sold  to  outside  Eastern  points  were 
rejected  simply  on  account  of  being  over-ripe.  These  were  generally 
diverted  to  the  auction  rooms  and  helped  to  still  further  depress  the 
market.  These  are  instances  that  serve  to  illustrate  the  point  we  wish 
to  make,  which  is,  the  necessity  for  quicker  transportation  and  a  schedule 
time,  for  the  shipment  of  our  fresh  fruits. 

The  fruit  which  brings  the  best  returns  to  the  growers  and  shippers  of 
California,  is  that  which  arrives  in  such  condition  as  to  allow  of  its  being 
rehandled  or  reshipped  from  the  distributing  points  in  the  East. 

At  present,  because  of  the  long  and  indefinite  time  made  in  transpor- 
tation, the  rule  is  to  pack  the  fruit  as  green  as  possible,  and  much  of  it 
arrives  at  its  destination  in  an  insipid  and  almost  worthless  state,  thus 
limiting  its  sale,  and  injuring  the  market  for  California  fruits.  If  we 
had  better  time,  a  better  quality  of  fruit  would  be  shipped,  because  it 
could  then  be  picked  in  a  more  matured  state,  and  be  received  in  better 
condition,  thus  enabling  it  to  be  rehandled  and  more  widely  distributed. 

What  is  needed  to  make  fruit-growing  in  California  profitable  is  such  a 
service  that  we  can  calculate  definitely  just  when  a  car  should  reach  a 
given  point.  The  receiver  will  then  know  how  to  arrange  for  its  sale, 
and  the  shipper  will  know  from  the  character  of  the  fruit  shipped  to 
what  point  it  will  carry  in  good  condition.  Then  the  danger  of  glutting 
the  market  will  be  greatly  lessened. 

A  quick  transportation  service  would  be  beneficial  to  all  the  factors 
engaged  in  the  business;  to  the  growers  and  shippers,  quicker  returns 
and  better  prices,  and  to  the  transportation  companies,  largely  increased 
shipments.  We  feel  safe  in  saying  that  there  would  have  been  1,000 
carloads  more  of  fresh  fruit  shipped  from  California  the  past  season  had 
we  had  reasonably  fair  service. 

If  relief  does  not  come  to  the  grower  in  some  form,  shipments  of  perish- 
able fruits  must  necessarily  decrease.  Shipments  would  have  been  much 
lighter  last  year  had  not  shippers  had  contracts  and  obligations  which 
had  to  be  fulfilled. 

Apparently  there  was  no  effort  made  to  favor  the  shipment  of  perishable 
fruits,  for  at  the  time  we  received  some  of  our  poorest  service,  we  had 
carloads  of  dried  fruit  delivered  in  New  York  in  thirteen  days. 

We  have  had  no  reduction  in  freight  rates  since  1887,  and  while  the 
enormous  increase  of  shipments  of  green  fruit  would  seem  to  have 
warranted  a  reduction  ere  this,  growers  and  shippers  generally,  we 
believe,  would  waive  at  this  time  the  discussion  of  that  subject  if  they 


could  be  assured  of  a  good  schedule  time  service,  hoping  that  the  necessary 
relief  might  come  from  it. 

The  question  is  one  of  importance,  not  only  to  the  growers  and  ship- 
pers, but  to  the  people  of  the  State  as  well. 

California  is  a  wonderful  State.  There  is  no  other  country  of  equal 
extent  as  rich  in  its  natural  resources.  But  the  one  thing  that  makes  it 
distinctively  superior  is  its  great  horticultural  resource.  With  the  proper 
utilization,  by  the  powers  that  are,  of  the  ways  and  means  at  their  easy 
command,  the  fruit  industry  of  the  State  could  be  built  up  to  a  magni- 
tude equal,  if  not  superior,  in  value,  to  all  other  interests  combined. 
Notwithstanding  the  great  beneficial  influence  the  successful  develop- 
ment and  building  up  of  this  great  industry  would  have  upon  the  State, 
there  has  been  but  little,  if  anything,  done  up  to  the  present  time  to  bring 
about  such  a  result,  so  far  as  the  deciduous  fruit  interest  is  concerned. 

It  is  true  that  there  have  been  grand  exhibits  of  this  fruit  and  its 
products  made  in  the  important  centers  of  the  United  States  and 
Europe.  The  people  who  viewed  this  fruit  wondered  at  its  magnificence; 
magnificent  in  size  and  beauty  and  possessing  an  excellent  and  superior 
flavor,  and  yet  but  little  progress  has  been  made,  as  evidenced  by  the  late 
census,  in  bringing  people  here  to  build  up  homes  in  the  great  agri- 
cultural districts  of  the  State,  for  the  reason,  that  it  could  not  be  shown 
to  the  satisfaction  of  intelligent  people,  with  means,  that  there  was  any 
profit  in  growing  this  fruit. 

Still  more  demoralizing  is  the  fact  that  a  large  majority  of  those  who 
in  the  last  ten  years  have  invested  in  planting  deciduous  fruit  are 
poorer  to-day  and  many  of  them  are  bankrupt. 

It  is  earnestly  believed  by  all  those  who  are  interested  in  the  develop- 
ment of  this  great  interest  that  the  cause  of  failure  to  make  it  pay  in 
the  past  is  attributable  to  the  lack  of  proper  and  permissible  facilities 
for  marketing  our  fruit.  The  facilities  for  marketing  our  green  decid- 
uous fruit  in  the  East  have  been  such  of  late  years  that  losses  to  the 
growers  who  shipped  have  been  the  rule,  and  profits  the  exception. 

Low  and  unprofitable  prices  for  green  deciduous  fruit  shipments  have 
resulted  in  the  growers  drying  their  fruit  instead  of  shipping  it,  with  the 
result  of  over-production  of  dried  fruit,  with  low  prices  prevailing;  but 
the  damage  does  not  end  here,  for  the  large  quantity  of  dried  peaches, 
plums,  pears,  and  apricots,  etc.,  has  demoralized  the  dried  fruit  market 
to  a  degree  that  French  prunes,  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the 
State,  are  a  drug  in  the  market,  with  something  like  sixty  or  seventy 
per  cent  of  the  crop  of  1900  unsold  and  on  hand,  much  of  which,  no 
doubt,  will  be  carried  over  until  such  time  as  it  will  materially  interfere 
with  and  demoralize  prices  for  this  year's  crop.  There  is  but  little 
doubt  that  the  unusually  large  quantity  of  fruit  dried  by  the  growers 
last  year,  greatly  interfered  with  the  disposing  of  the  prune  crop  at 
remunerative  prices. 


—  10  — 

There  is  but  little  being  done  in  the  way  of  planting  out  new  decid- 
uous fruit  orchards. 

It  is  true  that  there  are  a  few  who  still  believe  that  it  will  pay  to 
grow  deciduous  fruit.  Their  reason  for  so  believing  is  based  upon  the 
hope  and  belief  that  a  reduction  in  the  cost  of  marketing  will  in  some 
way  come  to  the  relief  of  the  interest.  There  were  many  times  more  of 
this  class  eight  and  ten  years  ago,  who  with  a  spirit  of  enthusiasm 
invested  their  means,  with  the  result  that  losses  have  been  sustained, 
instead  of  profits  gained. 

As  the  trees  in  the  old  orchards  are  rapidly  dying  out,  the  question  is 
being  considered  whether  it  is  best  to  replace  them  with  new  ones,  or 
change  to  something  else,  and  as  the  best  orchard  land  is  especially 
adapted  to  dairy  purposes,  which  interest  is  to-day  upon  a  good  paying 
basis,  with  fine  prospects  for  its  continuing  to  be  so  in  the  future,  many 
are  seriously  considering  whether  it  is  not  wise  to  make  a  change  to  it. 

Such  is  the  condition  in  which  we  find  the  deciduous  fruit  interests  of 
the  great  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin  valleys  to-day,  which  shows 
that  relief  must  come  to  it  in  some  way,  or  the  interest  will  be  on 
the  wane. 

We  hope  and  believe  that  great  good  will  come  to  the  fruit-growers  of 
the  State,  if  you  will  give  them  the  service  they  so  earnestly  pray  for, 
i.  e.,  "  a  schedule  time  that  will  place  their  fruit  in  Chicago  and  similar 
points  in  six  days,  and  in  New  York  and  similar  points  in  eight  days." 

THE  26,000-PouND  MINIMUM  CARLOAD 

* 

is  another  matter,  one  which  we  believe  to  be  of  vital  importance,  one 
which  all  parties  interested  in  shipping  green  fruit  East,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  transportation  companies,  believe  and  are  morally  certain, 
has  had  much  to  do  with  the  demoralized  condition  in  which  green 
fruit  shipments  have  arrived  at  Eastern  points.  This  is  the  raising  of 
the  minimum  carload  weight  from  20,000  to  24,000  pounds,  and  again 
from  24,000  to  26,000;  the  latter  weight  prevailing  after  July  1st,  and 
24,000  up  to  July  1st,  each  season.  This  rule  was  established,  it  is 
claimed,  for  the  reason  that  the  fruit  is  more  delicate  and  tender  up  to 
July  1st  than  it  is  after  that  date. 

This  theory  is  radically  wrong.  The  most  delicate  and  tender  fruit  is 
grown  and  matured  in  the  hottest  days  of  the  season,  during  July  and 
August. 

The  shipments  made  during  these  months  require  great  care  and 
attention.  They  should  be  given  all  the  protection  against  damage  from 
decay  it  is  possible  to  give  them,  in  order  that  they  may  be  received  in 
such  a  condition  that  they  can  be  disposed  of  at  a  profit  to  the  grower. 

If  the  date  when  26,000  pounds  is  required  to  make  a  carload  were  fixed 
to  begin  September  10th,  it  would  certainly  result  in  great  benefit  to  green 
fruit  shipments. 


—  li- 
lt is  necessary  to  draw  your  attention  to  only  one  or  two  facts  further 
in   this  connection.     Fresh  fruit  must  reach  the  market  by  railroad. 
One  car  of  fresh  fruit  processed  makes  but  one  fifth  of  a  car  to  transport, 
and  water  transportation  is  available  for  processed  fruit. 

There  is  more  than  five  times  the  volume  of  business  for  the  railroad 
in  an  acre  of  fruit  shipped  fresh  than  there  is  in  the  same  acre  processed. 
Respectfully  submitted,  with  the  request  that  everything  herein  be 
given  careful  consideration,  with  the  further  request  that  if  any  official 
connected  with  any  of  the  transportation  companies  that  handle  Cali- 
fornia green  fruit  shipments,  desire  to  consult  with  the  Committee,  it 
will  afford  this  Committee  great  pleasure  to  arrange  for  such  a  meeting. 

R.  D.  STEPHENS,  Sacramento, 

Chairman. 

ALDEN  ANDERSON,  Suisun. 
ALEXANDER  GORDON,  Fresno. 
M.  B.  GESTER,  Newcastle. 
A.  F.  NAFTZGER,  Los  Angeles. 


12  — 


INDORSEMENTS 

From  All  California  and  Eastern    Firms  Engaged  in    Shipping 
California  Fruit  to  Eastern  Markets. 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  GAL.,  February  8,  1901. 
MR.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Chairman  Fruit  Growers  and  Shippers1  Transportation  Committee,  Sacramento,  Cal. 

DEAR  SIR:  Acknowledging  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  7th  inst.,  beg 
to  say  that  we  are  in  hearty  accord  with  you  on  the  transportation 
question,  but  would  suggest  that  you  ask  the  railroad  companies  for  a 
five  days'  schedule  to  Chicago  and  an  eight  days'  schedule  to  New  York. 
This  would  permit  the  fruit  to  be  sold  in  Chicago  on  the  sixth  day.  We 
sincerely  hope  that  your  efforts  may  prove  successful. 
Yours  very  truly, 

PORTER   BROTHERS   COMPANY. 
By  A.  J.  HECHTMAN,  Vice-President. 


SACRAMENTO,  CAL.,  February  4,  1901. 
HON.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Chairman  Transportation  Committee,  City. 

DEAR  SIR:  We  note  with  interest,  the  effort  being  made  to  secure 
improved  service  and  schedule  time  for  the  transportation  of  perishable 
products  to  Eastern  markets. 

It  goes  without  saying  that  the  green  fruit  industry  of  this  State 
suffered  materially  by  the  delays  incident  to  the  unsatisfactory  trans- 
portation service  rendered  during  the  past  year. 

The  fruit  industry  of  California  easily  outranks  any  other  product,  in 
commercial  value,  and  has  not  yet  attained  its  meridian.  With  a  wider 
distribution,  which  is  being  rapidly  accomplished,  the  possibilities  are 
practically  limitless.  Such  being  the  case,  it  certainly  merits  thoughtful 
attention. 

No  doubt,  when  the  matter  is  properly  presented  to  them,  as  it  will 
be,  the  transportation  companies  will  see  their  way  clear  to  arrange 


—  13  — 

better  facilities  for  the  future  carrying  of  fresh  fruits  to  Eastern  markets, 
and  will  arrange  for  the  desired  expedited  service  and  schedule  time, 
not  to  exceed  say  six  days  to  Chicago  and  eight  days  to  New  York  and 
other  far  Eastern  points. 

With  best  wishes  for  the  successful  efforts  of  the  Committee  on  Trans- 
portation appointed  at  the  State  Fruit-Growers'  Convention  held  in  San 
Francisco,  December  last,  who  have  this  matter  in  hand,  and  assuring 
you  not  only  of  our  appreciation  of  and  sympathy  with  the  effort  being 
put  forth,  but  also  of  our  desire  to  assist  in  any  way  we  can  in  the  good 
work,  we  are, 

Yours  very  truly, 

EARL  FRUIT  COMPANY, 
GEO.  B.  KATZENSTEIN, 

Vice-President  and  Treasurer. 


VACAVILLE,  CAL.,  February  7,  1901.- 
R.  D.  STEPHENS,  ESQ., 

Sacramento,  Col. 

DEAR  SIR:  Yours  of  the  4th  inst.,  containing  inclosure,  duly  received, 
and  in  reply  would  say,  I  approve  all  the  subject-matter  in  your  request 
for  a  definite  time  schedule  for  deciduous  fruits  for  the  ensuing  year. 
You  cannot  too  strongly  urge  this  upon  the  transcontinental  railroad 
people,  as  the  future  of  the  deciduous  fruit  shipments  depends  upon 
better  service  than  we  have  had  the  past  year. 
Hoping  you  will  be  successful,  I  remain, 
Yours  truly, 

FRANK  H.  BUCK. 


—  14  — 


NEWCASTLE,  CAL.,  February  15,  1901. 
MR.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Chairman  Committee  on  Transportation,  Sacramento,  Cal. : 

DEAR  SIR:  Responding  to  your  courteous  letter  of  recent  date,  would 
respectfully  say  that  we  are  heartily  in  favor  of  urging  upon  the  Southern 
Pacific  and  connecting  lines  the  necessity  of  an  improved  time  service 
in  delivery  of  cars  containing  green  fruit  to  Missouri  River  and  distant 
Eastern  markets. 

We  believe  that  the  officials  of  that  company  already  recognize  the 
subject's  importance,  having  been  favorably  impressed  by  friendly  discus- 
sion and  a  presentation  of  facts  calculated  to  show  the  losses  sustained 
by  growers  and  shippers  during  the  season  of  1900.  An  increase  of 
equipment,  which  now  seems  assured,  and  the  completion  of  many 
improvements  on  the  Union  Pacific,  to  us  indicate  the  probable  elimi- 
nation, in  the  near  future,  of  irritating  annoyances  which  were  respon- 
sible for  vexatious  delays. 

Six  days  to  Chicago  and  eight  to  New  York  would  practically  mean 
prompt  and  satisfactory  service  for  every  market  of  importance  east 
of  the  Missouri  River.  The  realization  of  such  an  expectation  is  not 
inconsistent,  nor  can  the  request  for  an  adoption  of  such  a  schedule  be 
regarded  as  unreasonable. 

Nine  and  ten  days  to  Chicago,  with  an  occasional  variation  beyond 
that  limit,  twelve  and  fourteen  days  to  New  York,  which  was  the  case 
last  year,  explains  the  reason  for  over-ripe  arrivals  and  consequent 
disastrous  results. 

A  feature  which  is  not  often  alluded  to,  though  always  an  attendant 
upon  slow  time,  is  the  injury  of  fruit  by  reason  of  rapid  shrinkage  of  ice, 
occurring  between  stations,  after  the  expiration  of  what  might  be  termed 
the  usual  schedule  limit.  Presuming,  for  example,  that  the  average 
limitation  between  two  given  points  is  three  days,  a  failure  to  arrive 
until  the  fourth  is  an  interference  with  the  proper  maintenance  of  an 
equable  temperature,  which  is  essential  in  preserving  perishable  commod- 
ities while  in  transit. 

All  these  difficulties,  however,  will  be  a  matter  of  past  history  once 
there  is  an  improvement  in  time  service.  We  hope  your  anticipations 
will  be  realized,  and  trust  the  railroad  officials  will  favorably  consider 
your  memorial. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 

W.  J.  WILSON  &  SON. 


—  15  — 


AUBURN,  PLACER  Co.,  CAL.,  January  31,  1901. 
MR.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Chairman  Committee  on  Transportation,  Sacramento,  Cal. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  wish  to  address  you,  on  behalf  of  our  company,  with 
the  object  of  expressing  our  hearty  indorsement  and  support  of  your 
effort  to  procure  a  better  transportation  service  of  deciduous  fruits  for 
our  growers. 

Small  as  our  business  has  been  in  the  past  (we  shipped  about  120 
carloads  of  green  fruits  to  Eastern  markets  during  the  season  of  1900), 
we  figure  that  our  growers  suffered  a  loss  of  at  least  $10,000  last  season, 
entirely  owing  to  the  slow  and  unsatisfactory  service  of  transportation. 
We  shipped  hardly  a  single  carload  of  grapes  or  Bartlett  pears  but  what 
we  had  complaint  of  the  fruit  arriving  in  over-ripe  condition.  All 
claim  that  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten  this  state  of  things  was  caused  by  the 
unnecessary  length  of  time  required  for  transporting  our  fruit  to  its 
destination,  and  we  fear  that  unless  we  can  obtain  speedy  relief  in  this 
respect,  our  loss  will  be  still  heavier  during  the  coming  season  of  1901. 

We  therefore  hope  that  your  committee  will  succeed  in  your  noble 
efforts  to  procure  for  our  growers  a  reliable  and  reasonable  'schedule  of 
time  of  transportation.  As  we  have  occasionally  had  cars  reach  Chicago 
and  similar  points  in  six  days,  and  New  York  in  eight  days,  we  are 
convinced  that  the  transportation  companies  could,  if  they  would,  give 
us  a  guarantee  that  in  future  our  green  fruits  should  be  laid  down  in 
the  above-mentioned  markets  in  the  time  specified,  and  in  other  Eastern 
points  in  equally  reasonable  time. 

Again  expressing  our  appreciation  of  your  good  work  toward  this  end, 
we  are, 

Yours  truly, 

AUBURN  COOPERATIVE  FRUIT  CO. 
F.  DE  GOMEZ,  Manager. 


16  — 


COLFAX,  PLACER  Co.,  CAL.,  February  6,  1901. 
MR.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Sacramento,  Gal. 

DEAR  SIR:  Replying  to  your  request  that  we  sign  the  Memorial  sent 
us,  we  will  state  that  our  Association  held  their  annual  election  on 
February  2d,  when  it  was  submitted  to  them,  and  they  decided  not  to 
sign  it  for  the  reasons : 

First,  they  know  that  the  railroad  companies  will  not  give  a  guar- 
antee to  deliver  cars  at  reduced  schedule  time — they  can  better  afford 
to  give  a  reduction  in  freight;  also,  we  had  already  written  a  letter 
stating  facts  about  the  cost  of  fruit  to  the  East,  to  Mr.  Hays,  and  your 
Memorial  says  that  you  will  waive  the  right  to  ask  for  a  reduction  in 
freight,  and  that  is  the  only  remedy  that  we  think  will  help  out  in  the 
fruit  business. 

Had  that  clause  in  your  Memorial  been  left  out,  we  would  have  all 
signed  it,  and  as  we  had  written  a  letter  to  President  Hays,  asking  for 
a  reduction,  we  could  not  sign  your  paper  waiving  all  right. 

If  at  any  time  we  can  help  you  in  that  line,  we  will  readily  sign  or 
join  any  association  for  that  purpose. 
Yours, 

COLFAX  MOUNTAIN  FRUIT  CO. 

By  A.  G.  BELL,  Manager. 


PENRYN,  PLACER  Co.,  CAL.,  March  11,  1901. 
MR.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Sacramento,  Cal. 

DEAR  SIR:  We  most  heartily  indorse  your  efforts  to  obtain  from  the 
railroad  companies  an  expedited  service  for  fruit  to  Eastern  points  from 
California.  It  is  a  matter  of  most  vital  importance,  as  we  have  suffered 
severely  in  the  past  from  not  having  had  this  service. 

Six  days  to  the  Missouri  River  and  eight  to  Chicago  would  mean  a 
great  advantage  to  shippers  who  would  then  be  able  to  land  fruit  at 
those  points  in  salable  condition. 

Yours  very  truly, 

PENRYN  FRUIT  COMPANY. 
By  H.  E.  BUTLER. 


—  17  — 


NEWCASTLE,  CAL.,  February  2,  1901. 
R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Chairman  Committee  on  Transportation,  State  Board  of  Horticulture. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  most  heartily  join  in  your  respectful  request  of  the  trans- 
portation companies,  to  give  all  fresh  fruit  shippers  a  regular  schedule 
time  of  transportation,  viz:  six  days  to  Chicago  and  common  points, 
eight  days  to  New  York  and  contiguous  points. 

I  sincerely  hope  that  your  prayers,  joined  with  ours,  may  bring  us  this 
much-needed  relief,  and  remain, 
Yours  truly, 

GEO.  D.  KELLOG. 


Los  ANGELES,  CAL.,  February  8,  1901. 
MR.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Sacramento,  Gal. 

DEAR  SIR:  Returning  herewith  the  Memorial  to  the  Transportation 
Companies,  which  I  have  signed,  I  have  to  say,  that  while  it  certainly 
expresses  the  sentiment  which  was  developed  in  the  State  Convention, 
I  have  some  doubts  as  to  whether  it  is  not  too  conservative  on  the  sub- 
ject of  reduced  refrigerator  charges,  if  not  freight  tariffs.  It  was  very 
evident  that  the  growers  in  the  convention  were  disposed  to  waive  the 
question  of  rates,  if  they  could  get  an  expedited  service.  This  being 
the  sentiment  of  the  deciduous  fruit  shippers,  certainly  we  of  the  south 

could  not  object. 

Yours  very  truly, 

A.  H.  NAFTZGER, 

President  and  Manager  Southern  California  Fruit  Exchange. 


—  18  — 


VACAVILLE,  CAL.,  February  7,  1901. 
R.  D.  STEPHENS,  ESQ., 

Chairman  Committee  on  Transportation. 

DEAR  SIR:  We  have  carefully  read  the  Memorial  prepared  by  your 
committee  for  submission  to  the  various  transportation  companies 
engaged  in  handling  our  deciduous  fruits,  wherein  it  is  shown  that  our 
very  existence  as  fruit-growers  is  dependent  upon  the  securing  of  a 
definite  and  uniform  time  schedule  upon  the  lines  laid  down  therein, 
and  we  give  the  same  our  unqualified  and  hearty  indorsement. 

There  is  one  matter  that  intimately  concerns  the  keeping  and  carry- 
ing qualities  of  our  fruit  that  you  have  not  mentioned.  This  matter 
being  directly  under  the  control  of  the  transportation  companies, 
should,  it  seems  to  us,  be  brought  to  their  attention  at  this  time;  we 
refer  to  the  minimum  of  26,000  pounds  to  make  a  carload  after  July 
1st.  In  order  to  get  this  amount  in  an  ordinary  refrigerator  car,  it  is 
necessary  to  load  so  high  that  the  fruit  in  the  top  layers  is  nearly 
always  received  in  a  soft  and  decaying  condition;  this  is  always  true  to 
a  certain  extent  under  the  most  favorable  circumstances,  but  as  it  is  a 
well-known  fact  that  the  warm  air  rises  in  the  car,  and  stays  as  near  the 
roof  as  possible,  it  follows  that  the  nearer  the  roof  the  load  is  carried, 
the  poorer  the  fruit  will  arrive.  In  our  opinion,  this  compulsory  mini- 
mum has  had  considerable  to  do  with  our  bad  results,  and  we  hope  that 
your  Committee  will  not  fail  to  take  this  matter  up  vigorously  with  the 
railroad  people,  who  do  not,  we  feel  sure,  realize  the  harm  that  this 
restriction  is  doing  us. 

Trusting  that  your  efforts  will  be  crowned  with  the  success  they 
deserve,  we  remain 

Yours  truly, 

PINKHAM  &  McKEVITT. 


—  19  — 


Indorsement  From  the  Sacramento  Valley  Development  Asso- 
ciation, Representing  Twelve  of  the  Largest  and  Most  Pro- 
ductive Counties  in  the  Great  Sacramento  Valley. 


OFFICE  OF 
SACRAMENTO  VALLEY  DEVELOPMENT  ASSOCIATION, 

COLUSA,  GAL.,  March  11,  1901. 
MR.  J.  KRUTTSCHNITT, 

General  Manager  Southern  Pacific  Company. 

DEAR  SIR:  At  a  meeting  of  this  Association,  held  in  Sacramento, 
March  9,  1901,  an  indorsement  of  the  Memorial  of  the  California  Fruit- 
Growers,  wherein  they  ask  for  a  reduction  of  time  for  transportation  of 
green  fruits  to  Eastern  points,  was  made. 

We  ask  that  the  request  of  the  California  Fruit-Growers'  Association 
receive  favorable  consideration. 

Yours  truly, 

F.  E.  WRIGHT,  Secretary. 


—  20  — 


Letters  From  Receivers,  Representing  the  Great  Fruit  Commission 
Houses,  Showing  that  a  Quicker  Run  to  Chicago  and  New 
York  Would  Be  of  Almost  Incalculable  Benefit  to  the  Fruit 
Growers  and  Shippers  of  California. 


IT  HAS  BECOME  AN  ABSOLUTE  NECESSITY  THAT  CALIFORNIA  FEUIT  GET  EAST  IN 

SEVEN  OR  EIGHT  DAYS. 

NEW  YORK,  February  20,  1901. 
MR.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Chairman  Fruit  Growers  and  Shippers1  Transportation  Committee,  Sacramento,  Gal. 

DEAR  SIR:  Replying  to  your  favor  of  the  5th  inst.,  relative  to  the 
efforts  being  made  with  the  railroad  people  to  obtain  a  material  reduc- 
tion in  the  time  taken  in  the  past  to  get  deciduous  green  fruit  from 
California  to  the  East,  beg  to  say  that  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance, 
and  we  shall  be  glad  to  aid  in  every  way  the  good  work. 

We  have  handled  this  deciduous  business  here  since  1888,  have  seen 
it  grow  to  great  proportions,  and  much  to  our  regret  have  seen  the 
business  of  the  past  few  years  in  bad  shape,  principally  owing  to  the 
condition  in  which  the  fruit  has  been  delivered  in  this  city.  The  cars 
have  averaged  about  fourteen  days  in  making  the  trip  to  New  York,  the 
result  being  that  the  fruit  was  generally  soft,  or,  at  least,  not  in  the  con- 
dition it  should  be  to  successfully  market  same  at  any  profitable  price, 
because  this  fruit  arrives  here  mostly  during  our  hottest  weather,  and 
where  it  should  "stand  up"  for  a  few  days  after  arrival,  to  allow  of  its 
being  sent  to  near-by  points  that  want  it,  it  has  generally  been  in  such 
bad  shape  as  to  make  it  absolutely  necessary  to  consume  the  same  the 
day  it  gets  here,  or,  at  the  latest,  the  day  following.  If  not,  it  decayed 
rapidly. 

If  your  committee  could  induce  the  railroad  to  give  us  a  seven  or  eight 
day  schedule  from  California  to  New  York,  it  will  certainly  change  the 
entire  situation,  because  then  the  fruit  will  arrive  here  sound  and  with 
some  sort  of  keeping  qualities,  which  for  the  past  two  years  it  certainly 
has  not,  owing  to  the  long  time  en  route,  and  we  cannot  too  forcibly 
impress  upon  you  this  fact. 

The  deciduous  fruit  from  your  State  is  superb,  but  you  know  perfectly 
well  that  if  it  arrives  here  with  decay,  or  in  such  a  soft  shape  as  to 
render  it  quickly  perishable  on  exposure  to  the  heat,  its  quality  and 
excellence  go  for  little  with  our  people.  True,  the  consumption  in  this 
immense  city  is  very  heavy,  but  we  have  points  within  100  miles  of  New 
York  that  would  take  heavy  quantities  from  our  daily  auctions  if  the 
merchants  in  those  cities  could  feel  safe  that  the  fruit  would  reach  them 
the  next  day  in  a  sound  condition.  We  know  many  of  these  people 


—  21  — 

who  tried,  but  abandoned  the  business,  because  they  could  not  get  the 
fruit  to  them  sound,  and  we  firmly  believe  that  if  the  railroads  will  give 
us  a  service  suitable  to  such  perishable  fruit,  the  quantity  coming  to 
New  York  will  materially  increase. 

If  anything,  we  have  not  made  this  strong  enough,  but  having  handled 
this  California  deciduous  business  here  for  so  many  years,  we  claim  to 
be  in  a  position  to  judge  well  of  the  effect  on  the  market  if  we  could 
only  have  sound  fruit. 

We  beg  that  your  committee  will  do  its  utmost,  and  earnestly  trust 
that  the  railroad  people  will  see  that  it  is  an  absolute  necessity  that  this 
fruit  should  be  put  through  in  seven  or  eight  days  to  New  York  City. 
We  remain,  respectfully  yours, 


SGOBEL  &  DAY. 


WOULD    GREATLY    BENEFIT    FRUIT     INDUSTRY— FRUIT    LAST    YEAR    ARRIVED    IN 
CHICAGO     IN     BAD     CONDITION. 

CHICAGO,  February  15,  1901. 
MR.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Chairman  Fruit  Growers  and  Shippers'  Transportation  Committee,  Sacramento,  Cat. 

DEAR  SIR:  Replying  to  your  favor  of  the  5th,  relative  to  six  days' 
schedule  train  service  to  Chicago  on  green  fruit,  and  eight  days'  service 
to  New  York. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that  a  regular  and  reliable  service  by  the  rail- 
roads, based  upon  the  above-mentioned  schedules,  or  even  shorter  time, 
if  possible,  would  be  of  great  benefit  to  the  fruit  industry  of  California, 
by  reason  of  getting  the  fruit  into  market  in  condition  to  stand  reship- 
ment  to  the  various  small  cities  and  towns. 

On  account  of  the  serious  delay  occurring  during  the  season  of  1900, 
the  bulk  of  the  fruit  arrived  at  Chicago  in  an  over-ripe  condition,  so 
that  it  was  not  fit  for  reshipment. 

Believing  that  with  a  six  days'  schedule  we  will  have  no  trouble  in 
greatly  increasing  the  demand  for  California  fruits  throughout  this 
entire  section,  this,  as  you  know,  would  be  beneficial  not  only  to  the 
grower,  but  to  the  shipper  and  consumer  alike. 

Trusting  that  you  will  be  successful  with  the  railroad  companies  in 
securing  a  six  days'  schedule  to  Chicago,  we  remain, 

L  Yours  truly, 

PORTER  BROTHERS  COMPANY. 
By  JAMES  S.  WATSON,  President. 


—  22  — 


THE  SERVICE   ASKED   FOR,  IF   GRANTED,  WOULD    GREATLY  AID   IN    DISTRIBUTION 

IN  EASTERN  MARKETS. 

BOSTON,  February  16,  1901. 
MR.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Chairman  Fruit  Growers  and  Shippers'  Transportation  Committee,  Sacramento,  Caf. 

DEAR  SIR:  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  valued  favor  of  the  5th  of  Feb- 
ruary, also  copy  of  resolutions  to  be  presented  to  the  railroads  handling 
shipments  of  California  fruit,  which  we  have  carefully  noted. 

Think  you  have,  in  these  resolutions,  made  a  very  able  argument  in 
favor  of  expedited  freight  service  to  Chicago,  New  York,  and  Boston, 
which,  of  course,  means  equally  as  good  service  to  other  points  along  the 
Atlantic  coast  where  California  fruit  is  disposed  of  in  large  quantities. 

Don't  know  of  any  additions  or  suggestions  which  we  could  make  in 
any  way,  as  we  think  you  have  covered  the  ground  thoroughly. 

Answering  your  special  questions  regarding  this  matter,  would  say.  to 
the  first:  It  is  our  opinion  that  the  service  asked  for,  if  granted,  would 
greatly  aid  in  the  distribution  of  deciduous  fruit  in  Eastern  markets, 
from  the  very  reasons  suggested  in  your  resolutions;  that,  having  arrived 
in  Eastern  markets  in  better  condition,  a  greater  portion  of  it  would  be 
fit  for  reshipment  to  mountain  and  seashore  resorts,  where  the  greater 
part  of  this  fruit  is  used  during  the  hot  summer  months  in  this  section. 
Heretofore,  and  especially  last  season,  when  fruit  came  through  in  such 
ripe  condition  on  account  of  delay  in  transit,  the  greater  part  of  it  was 
unfit  for  reshipment.  Naturally,  this  curtailed  the  consumption  to  a 
great  extent. 

It  can  be  readily  understood  that,  if  the  percentage  of  fruit  for  reship- 
ment arriving  in  these  cars  was  larger,  an  improved  service  would  be 
beneficial  to  grower,  shipper,  receiver,  jobber,  and  consumer  alike.  We 
think  the  above  explanation  answers  your  second  question  also. 

You  may  be  assured  that  your  efforts  in  this  direction  have  our 
hearty  support,  and  we  hope  that  you  will  be  successful  in  obtaining 
much  better  service  than  you  have  had  in  the  past. 
Yours  very  truly, 

PORTER  BROTHERS  COMPANY. 
By  F.  E.  FLETCHER,  Manager. 


—  23  — 


THE  TIME  ASKED  WOULD  BE  OF  GREAT  BENEFIT  TO  CALIFORNIA  GROWERS— FRUIT 
COULD  THEN  BE  SAFELY  DISTRIBUTED  TO  POINTS  HUNDREDS  OF  MILES 
DISTANT. 

PHILADELPHIA,  February  13,  1901. 
R.  D.  STEPHENS.  ESQ., 

Chairman  Transportation  Committee,  Sacramento,  Cal. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  favor  of  the  5th  inst.  at  hand  and  noted.  We  are 
very  glad  indeed  to  know  that  those  interested  in  California  deciduous 
fruits  are  making  an  effort  to  secure  a  regular  schedule  service  for  the 
transportation  of  deciduous  fruits  to  Eastern  markets. 

Replying  to  your  question,  "  Would  the  time  asked  for,  if  granted, 
aid  distribution?  "  would  say  that  it  certainly  would.  The  fruit  would 
then  arrive  in  a  condition  suitable  for  reshipment  to  outside  points, 
and  consequently  there  would  be  more  of  it  shipped. 

The  trouble  during  past  seasons  has  been  that  fruit  has  arrived,  owing 
to  poor  time  on  the  part  of  the  railroad  companies,  in  tender  condition, 
and  as  fruit  in  this  condition  could  not  be  safely  reshipped  to  outside 
points,  the  demand  was  curtailed. 

If  cars  arrived  in  Philadelphia  and  other  auction  centers  in  eight 
days,  results  generally  would  be  vastly  different  from  what  they  have 
been  in  the  past.  Fruit  could  then  be  safely  distributed  to  points 
hundreds  of  miles  distant  from  auction  centers,  and  there  can  be  no 
doubt  but  that  under  these  circumstances  consumption  would  be  largely 
increased,  and  better  prices  would  rule  in  all  markets.  The  dealers, 
then,  located  in  auction  centers  could  buy  the  fruit  without  fear  of  it 
netting  them  a  heavy  loss  if  held  for  a  day  or  two. 

The  low  prices  which  ruled  during  last  season  were  largely  due  to  the 
fact  that  most  of  the  fruit  was  delayed  en  route  and  arrived  in  over- 
ripe condition. 

If  a  petition  addressed  to  the  transportation  companies,  asking  for 
better  service  on  California  deciduous  fruits,  was  circulated  among  the 
dealers  here,  there  is  none  of  them  but  would  be  glad  to  sign  it,  as  they 
are  all  interested  in  seeing  the  fruit  arrive  in  good  condition. 

Trusting  that  you  will  be  successful  in  your  efforts  to  have  the  trans- 
portation companies  grant  the  service  so  much  needed,  we  are, 

Yours  very  truly, 

EARL  FRUIT  COMPANY. 

R.  J.  FRAZER,  Manager. 


—  24 


WOULD  MATERIALLY  AID  FRUIT  INDUSTRY— LARGE  QUANTITIES  COULD  BE  HANDLED 

IN  THE  SMALLER  CITIES. 

MINNEAPOLIS,  February  12,  1901. 
MR.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Sacramento,  Col. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  favor  of  the  5th,  relative  to  six  days'  schedule  train 
service  to  Chicago  on  green  fruit,  and  eight  days'  service  to  New  York  at 
hand.  We  believe  that  a  regular  and  reliable  service  by  the  railroads, 
based  upon  the  above-mentioned  schedules,  or  shorter  time  schedules, 
if  possible,  would  very  materially  aid  the  fruit  industry  of  California, 
by  reason  of  getting  the  fruit  into  market  in  a  better  condition,  and  a 
saving  of  three  or  four  days  would  enable  us  to  dispose  of  large  quan- 
tities of  fruit  to  the  local  trade  in  the  cities  and  towns  outside  of  St. 
Paul  and  Minneapolis,  where  at  the  present  time  they  cannot  handle 
fruit  in  carload  lots,  and  where  express  and  local  freight  shipments  of 
small  quantities  are  at  present  made,  whenever  the  fruit  arrives  in  a 
sufficiently  sound  condition  to  carry. 

The  larger  auction  markets  will  be  relieved  to  a  very  great  extent  if 
we  can  get  fruit  East  in  such  condition  that  it  can  be  reshipped,  and  it 
would  mean  the  realization  of  better  prices  by  the  California  grower. 
We  wish  success  in  your  efforts. 
Yours  truly, 

PORTER  BROTHERS  COMPANY, 
By  S.  J.  PALMER,  Secretary. 


A  UNANIMOUS   DESIRE   EXPRESSED  BY  THE   DEALERS   IN   CALIFORNIA   FRUIT   FOR 
SUCCESS  OF  THE  MOVEMENT— BENEFITS  TO  BE  DERIVED  ARE  NUMEROUS. 

NEW  YORK  CITY,  March  1,  1901. 
HON.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Chairman  Transportation  Committee,  Sacramento,  Cal. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  communication  of  the  5th  ultimo,  in  re  shortening 
of  time  on  delivery  of  fruit  shipments  by  transportation  companies  to 
Eastern  points,  was  duly  received,  and  delayed  in  reply  owing  to  the 
absence  of  the  writer. 

We  heartily  commend  the  movement  looking  to  the  establishment  of 
a  "  six  days'  schedule  service  to  Chicago  and  similar  points,  and  an 
eight  days'  schedule  service  to  New  York  and  similar  points."  The 
benefits  to  be  derived  are  numerous,  and  many  have  already  been 
pointed  out. 


The  ch: 


—  25  — 


The  chief  benefit  to  be  derived  from  a  schedule  time  card  such  as  is 
proposed,  aside  from  the  better  condition  of  fruit,  would  be  the  ability 
to  count  upon  the  arrival  of  shipments  and  the  disposition  of  the  same 
in  the  auction  room,  etc. 

Our  experience  during  the  past  season  was  such  as  to  preclude  the 
possibility  of  handling  or  placing  cars  until  their  arrival  at  Chicago 
en  route  to  New  York.  If  we  had  the  assurance  of  a  time  schedule,  \\e 
could  regulate  our  sales  and  avoid,  in  many  cases,  what  is  known  as  a 
glut  or  over-supply. 

Without  pursuing  the  matter  in  detail,  will  say  in  conclusion,  with 
an  intimate  and  personal  knowledge  of  the  opinions  and  requirements 
of  the  Eastern  trade  in  fresh  fruits,  that  we  are  quite  sure  we  voice  the 
sentiments  of  all  concerned  when  we  assert  a  unanimous  desire  for  the 
success  of  the  movement  above  referred  to. 
Yours  very  truly, 

EARL  FRUIT  COMPANY, 
By  C.  E.  THURSTON,  Manager. 


THE  QUICKER  THE   TIME    THE   BETTER  WILL   BE   THE   RESULTS— SERIOUS   LOSSES 
HAVE  BEEN  SUSTAINED  ON  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  SLOW  TIME  MADE. 

BOSTON,  MASS.,  February  11,  1901. 
HON.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Chairman  Transportation  Committee,  Fruit  Growers  and  Shippers'  Association,  Sacra- 
mento, California. 

DEAR  SIR:  We  note  your  letter  of  February  5th,  inclosing  copy  of 
Memorial  to  the  Transportation  Companies  who  handle  Eastern  ship- 
ments of  California  fruits,  with  the  object  of  obtaining  better  time 
service  on  shipments  to  Eastern  points.  We,  as  well  as  all  others  inter- 
ested in  California  fruits,  realize  the  fact  that  the  quicker  the  service 
the  better  the  results  to  be  obtained. 

The  service  the  past  season  has  been  much  poorer  than  in  former 
years,  and  there  is  no  doubt  but  what  the  fruit  business  has  suffered 
serious  losses  on  this  account.  The  average  time  on  our  cars  the  past 
season  between  Sacramento  and  Boston  has  been  between  twelve  and 
thirteen  days.  On  perishable  fruit  shipped  during  the  hot  months  this 
extra  time  in  transit  means  a  very  serious  loss. 

Hoping  that  you  will  be  successful  in  your  efforts  for  better  service, 

we  remain, 

Yours  very,  truly, 

EARL  FRUIT  COMPANY. 
A.  H.  BROWN,  Manager. 


—  26  — 


THERE    SHOULD  BE  A  FIXED  TIME    SCHEDULE-SIX   DAYS  TO  CHICAGO  AND   EIGHT 

DAYS  TO  NEW  YORK. 

CHICAGO,  ILL.,  March  14,  1901. 
HON.  R.  D.  STEPHENS, 

Chairman  Transportation  Committee  California  State  Fruit  Growers  and  Shippers' 
Association,  Sacramento,  California. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  must  apologize  for  the  delay  in  answering  your  commu- 
nication of  February  4th,  due  to  my  having  been  away  from  Chicago  a 
good  portion  of  the  time  during  the  past  month;  and  as  the  subject- 
matter  referred  to  and  the  questions  pertaining  thereto  are  of  such  vital 
importance  to  such  a  vast  number  of  people,  we  wished  to  give  the 
matter  proper  consideration  before  replying. 

Transportation  is  capable  of  affording  to  mankind  benefits  of  untold 
proportions.  In  no  other  field  of  exchange  of  products  and  resources 
between  man  and  man,  can  the  importance  of  these  benefits  be  greater 
than  in  the  matter  of  transportation  of  perishable  fruits. 

As  I  am  particularly  interested  in,  and  in  close  observation  of  the 
redistributing  of  California  fresh  fruits  after  they  have  ended  an  over- 
land journey  of  2,500  miles,  the  condition  of  and  prospects  for  the 
fruit  on  arrival  at  Chicago  naturally  come  under  my  closest  scrutiny. 

The  outcome  of  the  California  deciduous  fruit  season  of  1900  is  now  a 
matter  of  history,  and  how  unsatisfactory  were  the  results  is  patent  to 
all  concerned. 

In  my  opinion,  the  one  first  great  step  toward  improvement  is  quick  and 
reliable  transportation  to  Eastern  markets. 

The  time  and  uncertainty  in  transit  in  the  past  have  been  simply 
vexing.  That  much  better  service  is  possible  is  amply  shown  by  the 
fact  that  only  a  few  years  ago  oranges  were  transported  from  Southern 
California  to  Chicago  in  six  and  one  half  days,  and  that  entirely  voluntarily 
on  the  part  of  the  railroads. 

There  should  be  a  fixed  schedule  of  time  in  transit  for  deciduous  fruits 
of  not  to  exceed  six  days  to  Chicago  and  eight  days  to  New  York.  This 
would  benefit  the  fruit  intrinsically  in  two  points — First,  with  the 
assurance  of  a  six  days'  service,  better  fruit  would  be  shipped;  that  is, 
more  mature  fruit,  and  then  we  would  not  so  often  hear  the  complaints 
of  Easterners  that  "California  fruit  has  to  be  shipped  half  green,  conse- 
quently we  can  never  get  it  in  its  prime." 

Second,  such  fruit  would  arrive  in  much  firmer  condition.  Therefore, 
instead  of  half-ripe  fruit  in  poor  condition,  we  would  have  better  fruit 
arriving  in  a  harder  condition,  and  thus  redistribution  to  smaller  cities 
and  towns  would  be  immensely  aided. 

Because,  the  fruit  would  stand  being  re-shipped  to  most  points  by 
freight  (instead  of  by  express),  making  the  cost  to  the  buyers  much  less, 


—  27,— 

and  encourage  larger  purchases;  and  the  very  railroads  who  first  bring 
the  trainloads  of  fruit  to  the  large  markets  would  get  three  quarters  of 
that  fruit  for  another  haul  to  local  points,  whereas  under  the  existing 
service,  only  a  small  proportion  of  the  fruit  arrives  fit  for  reshipping,  and 
most  of  that  has  to  go  by  express,  making  the  cost  to  the  consumer  much 
higher,  and  consequently  curtailing  the  business. 

It  is  my  firm  belief  that  a  reliable  schedule  service  of  not  exceeding 
six  days  to  Chicago  and  eight  days  to  New  York  would  be  a  great 
blessing,  not  only  to  the  growers  and  dealers  by  increasing  distribution, 
but  would  at  the  same  time  furnish  the  railroads  a  large  additional 
amount  of  traffic,  as  shown  above. 

Furthermore,  with  proper  transportation  service,  viz:  a  dependable 
six-day  service  to  Chicago,  and  eight  days  to  New  York,  there  might  be 
encouragement  to  further  increase  the  crops  and  business;  whereas,  on 
the  other  hand,  the  very  opposite  is  certain  to  ensue. 

Assuring  you  of  a  spirit  of  hearty  cooperation  in  the  matter,  and  sin- 
cerely hoping  for  the  success  of  this  movement,  I  remain, 
Very  respectfully  yours, 

C.  M.  MOHR, 
Manager  Earl  Fruit  Company,  Chicago. 


Indorsements  received  after  this  date  will  be  promptly  forwarded  in 
circular  form  to  the  several  Transportation  Companies  above  named. 

R.  D.  STEPHENS, 
Chairman  Fruit  Growers  and  Shippers' 

Transportation  Committee. 
SACRAMENTO,  March  20,  1901. 


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